The Asakusa area is very convenient for sightseeing, transportation and general shopping especially if you are OK to do some walking. Check that Sakura is not ladies only or have age limits or curfews. Some hostels have only coin operated showers. Never mind, many public baths in that area.

To have a guide (who mainly wants to practice English) for the price of a meal is really really cheap!!! No guarantees of quality but Japanese generally go out of their way to help. My one experience with this was just a walk around Ueno Park with elderly relatives, and we had a great time. Left of the train station to Nikko there is a very helpful tourist office where you can make reservations and buy tickets. If you want to save a little, skip the expensive tourist express; the ordinary class is fine. The station area is also where the river boat tour starts, stopping at a garden and ending at a trendy shopping mall and beach. Come back to town on the monorail.

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Jun 23 2014, 10:35 PM